Mauritania: The Minister of Energy and Petroleum supports young graduates in the oil sector

His Excellency Mr Mohamed Ould Khaled, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, received in his office the representatives of the "Association des Jeunes Diplômés en Spécialités Pétrolières". This organisation brings together Mauritanian graduates, professionals, young people and students working in the fields of oil, gas and related specialities. This meeting marks a significant step in the dialogue between the government and young people, a key player in the development of the country's energy sector.

During this meeting, the association's representatives had the opportunity to present their major concerns, particularly in terms of employment, training and skills development in the strategic energy, oil and gas sectors. The discussions highlighted the challenges facing young Mauritanians wishing to invest in these fast-expanding industries.

In his speech, His Excellency the Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives. "The energy and oil sector is open to young talent. We encourage graduates, entrepreneurs and all those with innovative projects to contribute actively to the development of our country", he declared. This is part of a wider vision to make Mauritania a regional energy hub, drawing on its gas resources and renewable energy potential.

Annual Energy Forum in prospect

Representatives of the association used the meeting to announce the forthcoming "Annual Energy Forum", scheduled for 22 April in Nouakchott. This ambitious event aims to highlight the opportunities offered by Mauritania in the fields of gas and renewable energies, while exploring the central role of young people in this dynamic. The conference will feature a series of themed panels, covering topics such as technological innovation, economic prospects and specialist training needs.

At the end of the discussions, the organisers put forward a proposal to make the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum the official sponsor of the event. They also suggested that the association's recommendations be taken into account in the development of future training programmes and initiatives led by the ministry. These proposals demonstrate the association's desire to build a lasting partnership with the authorities to meet the needs of the sector.

The meeting was attended by several senior officials from the ministry, including Mr Ali Silli Soumaré, Secretary General; Mr Khroumbali Lehbib, chargé de mission responsible for developing the hydrogen sector; Mr Ahmed Vall Mohameden, adviser in charge of cooperation and communication; and Mr Chamsedine Sow Deina, Director General of Petroleum and Low Carbon Hydrogen. Their participation underlines the importance attached by the Ministry to this initiative and to the mobilisation of national skills.

This meeting marks the start of a promising collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and young Mauritanians involved in the energy sector. At a time when Mauritania is positioning itself as an emerging player in the exploitation of gas and renewable energies, the involvement of young people appears to be an essential lever for guaranteeing sustainable and inclusive development. The annual Energy Forum, for which preparations are already in full swing, could well be the catalyst for this shared ambition.